Thirst-quenchers Can Juice Up Nutrition Too

We`re heading into a long, hot, sticky summer, when the body craves and needs refreshing drinks.

Sneak a lot of fruit juice into those drinks and you`re on your way to letting your drink boost your intake of vitamin C, potassium and the B vitamins.

These are pick-me-ups with nutritional clout. Instead of supplying empty calories, they supply energizing nutrients. Most of them are low in calories and all are high in flavor.

A few tips:

-- Fresh-squeezed juice is always better than canned or frozen. But if convenience dictates the use of ready-to-go juices, you`re still on the plus side of good nutrition.

-- Keep on hand frozen cubes of various juices. Use them in drinks instead of ice cubes, to fortify flavor. Garnish drinks with whole

strawberries, orange or lemon slices and mint sprigs.

-- When serving punch, chill it first and add an ice ring at the last minute. Rings of ice and big chunks melt more slowly than ice cubes or crushed ice. You can make your own ice block by using an angel-food cake pan or a mold.

-- Just because your punch or drink is non-alcoholic doesn`t mean you can`t serve it in your prettiest glasses. Choose paper cups for convenience;

make it glass for pizazz.

-- Too much sweetness increases thirst rather than quenching it.

-- Don`t forget vegetable juices. Their flavor is fresh and perky and interesting.